Considering the moderately recent release of Macross Ultimate Frontier (which we’ve reviewed), it seems only fitting to review the signature variable fighter from Macross Frontier in its fully armored regalia; the VF-25F Messiah. This toy is part of the 1/60 DX Chogokin range associated with the series but the armor parts are a limited edition purchase from Bandai’s online collector shop (though the base toy has to be bought separately). What follows is a photo review of the toy in its fighter, GERWALK and battroid modes.

This particular variable fighter is piloted by Alto Saotome in the series, a rather pensive and cagey former kabuki actor who is desperate to sit in the cockpit of the latest VF-25 and pierce an open blue sky. He’s the contemporary allegory of Hikaru Ichijyo from the original Macross, even his custom VF-25F sports the same colour scheme. These armored parts are only given to Alto a few times in the series, normally when the situation is suitably severe. However, unlike the earlier variable fighters the VF-25 is unique in how it can fully transform between all three modes without needing to jettison its armor.

This toy is interesting on a few counts, first is that it marks the return of Bandai to the Macross mythos. So the intricacies of a fully fledged transformation sequence have had to be almost re-learned. The second is that the mecha in the series are animated via CG, which means there were modeled in 3D and that data was used in the development of the toys. What transpires is a remarkably accurate rendition of Shoji Kawamori’s designs but in a suitably tactile sense.

It’s also worth clarifying that these 1/60 DX Chogokin toys are just that, they aren’t really meant as display pieces but are instead meant to played with. This means that some elements are very sturdy, as much of the inner workings of the toy are diecast. However, when the base toy is combined with the armor parts things get a little fiddly and changes it into more of a collector’s item.

The fighter mode actually retains a new set of landing gear in its newly armored legs. You can also open the cockpit as well as well as open up the multiple missile hatches, though those are more visually impressive in the battroid mode below. Fighter mode is also quite the display piece.

GERWALK mode is a bit trickier as the large armored pods on the wings weigh the whole toy down, as such there’s an additional part that has two struts to keep the back propped up. This mode is also the trickiest to transform into, mainly due to the arms and how they’re jointed causing the armor parts on the leg to constantly pop. In addition, trying to get the mode to stand up causes other parts to pop off their contacts, notably around the top of the legs. That said, once posed it’s decently accurate.

Battroid mode is the real highlight though and even with the extra weight on the back, it stands up fine and poses remarkably well. You can also open all the missile hatches in this mode too and it’s quite striking.

Overall, the base toy is very much meant to be handled but with the armored parts attached it can be quite awkward to treat it with the same playful demeanour. Battroid mode however is quite stable despite the added weight and bulk, a lot of this is taken in the heels of the feet (as the joints are quite rigid) but you may have trouble with the armor parts in this mode if you have one of the first releases of the base toy (as the main connector in the hip that holds the toy together was quite weak). It’s also worth clarifying that this is a big toy, huge in fact (as it happily high fives the Soul of Chogokin Dancouga with ease). So if you have room for a bulky 40cm of Macross merchandise, then you won’t be disappointed with this at all.

The armor parts set also comes packaged with a stand that can be used in all three modes.